Photo courtesy of Choate Flickr
In December, the Choate Athletic Department announced that all students that were planning to play an intramural sport would be enrolled in “Physical Wellness” instead. Among other restrictions, the School limited occupancy in the fitness center to a maximum of 14 people. One of the sports affected by this change was Rock Climbing.
Normally, Rock Climbing leader Mr. Jeremy Oliver brings the cohort of students to Prime Club, a Wallingford climbing gym, where students climb for two hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, because the Prime Club is closed, and students are not allowed off campus, the group has not been able to practice.
“A lot of the students who participate in rock climbing are just trying it for the first time or using it as a mild cross-training activity to stay conditioned for their spring sport,” said Mr. Oliver.
Although many of the students are first-timers at the sport, some students, such as Calvin Walker ’21, have become fond of rock climbing. Walker said, “I started climbing at Choate my sophomore year and fell in love instantly.” Usually, Choate gives Walker and other rock climbers access to use the Prime Club whenever they choose, but since the pandemic began, he has not been able to go.
In previous years, students have also been able to use the climbing wall in McGuire Gym, but that spot is no longer maintained, leaving students with no replacement activity for rock climbing at all.
Without access to a climbing wall, Walker has had a difficult time keeping up with his training and conditioning. “Rock climbing is a sport where you need consistent practice to push your limits and improve, so it’s definitely been a frustrating experience,” said Walker. Resorting to hang-board exercises that train fingers and arms, Walker has struggled to find consistency with exercises now that he is back on campus.
Mr. Oliver, who uses rock climbing as a meditative practice, said, “For me personally, climbing is a very important activity for me to stay winter positive. So, emotionally, the lack of routine physical activity has taken a toll.”
Students often find winter term difficult, and not having practices has made it harder for many athletes.
While the Founders League season and all official interscholastic tournaments have been canceled for the spring, as of now, the Athletic Department hopes that improved Covid-19 conditions will allow student athletes to travel off-campus next term for sports such as crew and golf, and potentially participate in scrimmages against other schools.
